Chill Out
Looking for a controversy where there is none, New York tabloids are up in arms about how David Wells blasted the Yankees in an interview yesterday. How he accused them of duplicity when they passed on the chance to sign him last winter, how he expressed bitterness towards Joe Torre and Mel Stottlemyre, and even how he bit the hand that once fed him, that of George Steinbrenner. After an examination of the record, allow me to say, “No, he didn’t” on each score.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly what Boomer had to say.
On the Yankees so-called double dealing: after he approached the Yankees about pitching for them, they told him they were building a younger pitching staff. “Then they turn around and sign Randy (Johnson), so, what part of that I didn't get I don't know, but that's just something that happens.”
Translation: “Their approach seems inconsistent from what they told me, but things like that do happen.” Yep, those are libelous accusations for sure. Rumors have it that the Yankees are dialing up their lawyers to press a defamation of character lawsuit.
On Torre and Stottlemyre: “I never had a good relationship with Joe, we've had a few run-ins. Mel Stottlemyre as well, and Mel's probably the best pitching coach I probably ever had, but just when you have run-ins like that, with that, it just leaves a sour taste, you know, and who needs it. I can understand their point and hopefully they can understand mine.”
Translation: “I’ve never had a good relationship with Joe Torre or Mel Stottlemyre, and it did get tiring. I can see their perspective, and I hope they see mine.” Ouch, that hurts. Everyone stand back. Torre and Stottlemyre, incensed by those unbelievably mean-spirited words, are at the gym now, getting in shape to kick Boomer’s sizable rear end.
On Steinbrenner: “I'm sure they would have passed (signing me) by (Steinbrenner) and I'm sure he would have passed on it. That's fine."
Translation: “That low-down, conniving SOB Steinbrenner would have stabbed me in the back.” Oh, wait, that’s what the tabloids would have you believe he meant. What he really meant? “Steinbrenner would probably have nixed signing me, and that’s ok.” Talk about being a whining, unreasonable cry baby.
I hope that the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry has more going it for it this year than these supposedly outrageous comments by Wells. Because if the tabloids are reaching this much in spring training to sell papers, imagine what they’ll do if the race turns out to be a snoozer.